Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, Nov 13 :
In the midst of the harvest season, unsettling incidents of gunfire have raised serious concerns in the Tangkhul Naga community, particularly around Yaingangpokpi. Over the past few days, innocent farmers have suffered injuries from gunfire while working in their fields, a situation that both the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) have condemned in strong terms. These apex bodies of the Tangkhul community have issued warnings and statements calling for immediate action, accountability from security forces, and justice for those affected.
Eno.Jollyson RS, Vice President of the TNL, expressed the community’s outrage, stating that the Tangkhul Naga Long takes these criminal acts seriously. “We warn in no uncertain terms that if such unprovoked incidents of gunfire continue to disrupt the lives of innocent farmers, we will take appropriate and fitting action,” Jollyson declared. He emphasized the gravity of these incidents, which are not isolated but follow a troubling pattern of attacks on Naga individuals from Tamenglong, Senapati, and Imphal. The timing of the violence, amid the harvest season, has made these events particularly alarming as they threaten the lives and livelihood of farmers engaged in critical work.
Jollyson also called out the failure of nearby security forces, whose presence should deter such violence. “The security personnel deployed in this region have been disturbingly silent despite being stationed close enough to hear these criminal acts,” he charged. He expressed hope that the security forces would finally respond to these incidents with the professionalism expected of them and fulfill their duty to ensure public safety. “We request that the forces stationed nearby take their responsibilities seriously and instill a sense of security among the people,” he added.
Similarly, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the premier student body, echoed this stance in a statement that highlighted the vulnerable position the Naga community finds itself in. According to the TKS, the Nagas have frequently been caught in the crossfire of the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The incident on November 11, 2024, where a Tangkhul youth, Kanshok Horam from New Canaan village, was injured while working in the paddy fields, is yet another example of the risks the community faces. TKS declared that their patience had worn thin: “We will retaliate at an opportune time. Our decision to exercise restraint was made to contribute to peace, but this restraint has been grossly misinterpreted as weakness by both warring communities.”
The TKS statement added that issuing condemnation letters for past atrocities was a way of avoiding direct involvement in the violence, but this recent incident is a breaking point. “Enough is enough,” the TKS stated firmly, signaling a shift in stance. They warned that if provocations continued, the community might no longer choose the path of non-violence.
In response to this incident, both the Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL) and the Tangkhul Naga Valley Student Association (TNVSA) initially declared an indefinite total shutdown. However, after further discussion, TKS has decided to take over the agitation, acknowledging the hardship faced by community members commuting on the Imphal-Ukhrul highway. As a result, the full shutdown has been lifted as of midnight, though the agitation will continue with an indefinite economic blockade until justice is served for the victim and the Tangkhul community as a whole.
The TKS has made it clear that any escalation in violence, particularly as they act to defend their community, will not be their responsibility. “The Tangkhul community will not be held accountable for any casualties among the warring communities if we are forced to protect our people,” the TKS warned. They demand that authorities take immediate action to prevent further harm and restore peace to the region.
